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Northe Calls for Meaningful Support during COVID-19 CrisisNorthe requests for commitment in supporting local small and medium businesses facing closures, cancellations and reduction in customers. By Portal Admin - 19th March 2020 - Back to News In State Parliament this week, Member for Morwell Russell Northe has highlighted the worrying and immediate concerns of the impacts of the COVID-19 virus to the Latrobe Valley community.
Speaking from Spring Street this morning, Mr Northe said; "Like everyone, I’m concerned about the short and long-term impacts of the COVID-19 crisis. There is no doubt, this event is going to have a long reaching effect on many sectors of the community".
Yesterday, Mr Northe took advantage in Question Time ask for the Premier’s commitment to supporting our local small and medium businesses who are doing it tough in the wake of closures, cancellations and reduction in customers.
"I have been contacted by numerous Latrobe Valley business owners who have already suffered a big hit to their revenue and are looking at the Coronavirus event and thinking ‘I don’t know how we will get through this’", Mr Northe lamented.
"We really need meaningful and practical support for businesses and welfare organisations, and we need it now".
"I was pleased to hear from the Premier, that the State Government agree with my suggestion for a business hotline so our Victorian traders can get accurate and up to date information and provide vital information back as to what supports would benefit them.
The Premier guaranteed that this hotline is "well under development and should be implemented in the next 24 hours".
Mr Northe has today also highlighted the plight of vulnerable and disadvantaged in the Latrobe Valley, calling for additional support for essential items. He also thanked the enormous efforts of the frontline health workers, nurses’ doctors and everyone at Latrobe Regional Hospital who are doing an incredible job during this crisis.
"I am shocked at the response to this event so far, and in particular the panic buying and the subsequent stress this is causing the elderly, disabled, carers and isolated who are unable to secure essential household items", Mr Northe continued. "I will be seeking Government support for these most vulnerable people and urge those in our community who can help, to do so where they can".
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: support@gippsland.com
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